This article is a forum response to a research article on self-reporting methods when studying discrete emotions in science education environments. Studying emotions in natural settings is a difficult task because of the complexity of deciphering verbal and non-verbal communication. In my response I present three main points that build on insights…

Measurement of affective states in everyday life is of fundamental importance in many types of quality of life, health, and psychological research. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is the recognized method of choice, but the respondent burden can be high. The day reconstruction method (DRM) was developed by Kahneman and colleagues ("Science,"…

While the potentials of virtual worlds to support experiential learning in medical education are well documented, assessment of student learning within these environments is relatively scarce and often incongruent. In this article, a conceptual framework is proposed for formatively assessing dispositional behaviours in scenario-based learning…

Over forty articles dealing with studies of affective variables were analyzed in this report of the Elementary School Subcommittee of the National Council on Measurement in Education's Task Force on Measurement of Affective Outcomes. The measurement problems were of both a theoretical and practical nature. The greatest practical problem is…

This article offers a new method to describe the relationship between two circumplexes, illustrated empirically with Wiggins' (1995) Interpersonal Adjective Scales (IAS) and Yik, Russell, and Steiger's (2004) 12-Point Affect Circumplex Scales (12-PACS). Michael Browne's CIRCUM-extension procedure was used to place each circumplex within the other.…

Reports on assessments of four affects (anxiety, depression, anger, and contentment) using three different measures. Results show that staff members (n=44) reported lower levels of dysphoric affect than 40 psychiatric inpatients. Findings show that therapists can predict affects that are suggested by prestructured visual elements used in the…

Interprets a range of affective evaluation practices, with a brief discussion of the strengths and limitations of each. Ideas for some new directions are also explored. (Author/JG)

Discusses the value of measuring noncognitive achievement of high school students and provides examples of basic evaluation techniques that can prove useful in measuring the overt behavior of students in the affective domain. (JR)

A measure of positive affect using content analysis of verbal samples was devised and found to have satisfactory interjudge reliability. Normative data from five groups showed an association of positive affect levels with the situations subjects were undergoing. (Author)

Used computerized diaries to investigate relations between momentary and generalized affect reports. Thirty participants rated current mood at two-hour intervals and gave retrospective reports of daily and weekly mood. Average momentary ratings provided a closer estimate of daily mood than either peak or most recent momentary ratings. (RJM)

An evaluation of the "Inside/Out" television series on health education includes a list of participating classrooms; summary statistics of children who watched each program by race and sex; introductory letters to teachers; format and instructions for training observers; observers' assessment of "Inside/Out"; teachers' evaluations of the programs…

With the advent of profiling and maintaining records of achievement, the assessment of the affective characteristics of pupils has become an issue of general concern in England. The Scottish Council for Research in Education has been involved in programs investigating the assessment of individuals and the evaluation of curricula. Teachers can…

The pros and cons of whether physical educators should attempt to evaluate the affective domain of physical education is debated in five articles. Uses and abuses of the affective domain are discussed, and the question of whether affective evaluation is actually possible is debated. (JN)

The National Instructional Television health series, "Inside/Out," is designed to assist eight-to-ten year old children and their teachers in dealing with their feelings about themselves, others, and the world around them. The programs are accompanied by classroom discussion. Three methods were used to test the effectiveness of…

Argues that affective outcomes should be addressed instructionally and that student affect should be assessed formally. How student affect should be measured is considered. It is suggested that self-report measures be used and that Likert-type inventories usually meet the needs of classroom teachers. (SLD)